Windows Phone 8 users looking to use their devices as modems have typically been left out in the cold, as the operating system will flag attempts to connect additional devices to phones and drop messages asking owners to purchase additional services. Normally, this would mean that tethering wouldn’t be possible, but now a new app on the Windows Phone Marketplace aims to fix that in Tether – X.

True to its name, Tether – X opens up a tunnel connection via custom proxy on the device that is randomly generated. Once the proxy is generated, devices can be manually configured to connect via the address and access 3G/4G data through the tunnel via Wi-Fi. Surprisingly, the app itself is also free initially with an in-app purchase required for unlimited use, however owners of Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices have reported significant issues with proxy access and adhoc Wi-Fi support, so caveat emptor applies in that case, while users with devices by HTC have so far reported no issues.

Hey Man: I have set up my tether x at least five times and it never gets internet access. It connects, but no internet. After a few minutes the adhoc I created just disappears and cannot be detected. pretty bummed, right now it seems like the worst five bucks I ever spent. any ideas> thanks.